Devonian

Abstract

AbstractThe Devonian System was the first pre-Quaternary system to have its base established at an internationally ratified Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). The base of the System was defined at the base of the Monograptus uniformis Biozone at Klonk in Czechoslovakia (McLaren 1977). The upper boundary of the System is fixed by the base of the Carboniferous, which has been recently ratified in a GSSP at La Serre, Herault, France, at a point coincident with the first appearance of the conodont Siphonodella sulcata.Series. GSSPs have now been designated to define the bases of the Middle and Upper Devonian Series (that of the Lower Devonian being automatically defined by the System boundary).Stages. Consequent upon the selection of a Czech type section for the basal boundary stratotype of the System, the Germanic stages for the lowest parts of the Devonian were no longer appropriate and Lochkovian and Pragian stages have now been formally defined with stratotypes ratified by the I.U.G.S.Devon, the nomenclatorial type locality for the Devonian System (Sedgwick & Murchison 1839) is a region of great tectonic complexity and has not provided suitable sections on which to base international correlations. However, the rocks are frequently richly fossilferous and firm correlations can now be established with the intensively studied developments of the Devonian in Belgium and Germany.Northwards from Devon are found large tracts of the predominantly fluviatile and lacustrine facies which characterizes the Old Red Sandstone. Correlation between the marine Devonian rocks of southwest England and the